Ever wonder if you make a difference in the lives of others? Unfortunately, I think a lot of us wrongly conclude that if we do, it's not much. But let me beg to differ with you. I think we can make a lot of difference in other people's lives. The reason I know we can, is because of the profound influence others have on me.
I walked into the Chocolate Shoppe today to buy some cookies for a class I am teaching tonight. When I did I was greeted by Pat Pitcher. She and her husband, Ken, own and operate this incredible business and are members here at Brushy Creek.
She was up to her ears in customers, but you would have thought the President had just walked in. She and her husband Ken, both, always have the kindest, most appreciative things to say. She made me feel like a million bucks! And before I left she said, "Wait a minute, before you leave" and came around the counter and gave me a big hug. I got to say that part of me was a little embarrassed by all the attention I received, but man did she lift my spirit. Being loved and appreciated sure feels good. It does to me, and it does to everybody else as well.
The things you say to people, the way you treat them, greet them, smile at them, help them, serve them - it makes a huge difference in people's lives.
What Pat did for me today, I want to do for someone else!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
What were they thinking?
I guess you've heard the latest thing out of Washington, that leaders on both sides of the aisle say is needed to prevent us from falling further into a recession - a rebate. If you pay taxes, the thinking is that you should receive an $800 refund, with working families receiving as much as $1,600.
Don't get me wrong, when the government wants to return some of my money, I like it. But here's what bothers me:
1. We hear all the time about our debt spiraling out of control. Is this going to help that? I don't think so.
2. If we can't afford all the other things they say we can't afford, how can we afford this?
3. Since the feds don't earn money, they take it from taxpayers, isn't the money they are returning, already ours?
4. Since they didn't apparently need it to begin with, it would appear to me they overcharged all of us on the front end. I don't recall getting my apology letter. If I took your money, kept it until I was ready to return it, it would seem to me that I would at least owe you an apology for overcharging you on the front end.
5. Here's the really big one - If giving us this money back now will really cure a recession, why didn't they give it back earlier, and we would have avoided one?
6. And finally, here's the really troubling one - If this will increase our debt as a nation, not lower it, won't they sooner or later need the money back? I am pretty sure the answer is yes. The problem I have is timing. Will they want it back after I take the $1,600 they are promising me and make a down payment on a car in order to spur on the economy (they have openly said they hoped we would spend it not save it) and have a car payment I can barely afford? Hey, but why should I worry? Knowing how benevolent and patient the IRS is, they will probably let us pay it back whenever we want to - just like they did us, right?
Don't get me wrong, when the government wants to return some of my money, I like it. But here's what bothers me:
1. We hear all the time about our debt spiraling out of control. Is this going to help that? I don't think so.
2. If we can't afford all the other things they say we can't afford, how can we afford this?
3. Since the feds don't earn money, they take it from taxpayers, isn't the money they are returning, already ours?
4. Since they didn't apparently need it to begin with, it would appear to me they overcharged all of us on the front end. I don't recall getting my apology letter. If I took your money, kept it until I was ready to return it, it would seem to me that I would at least owe you an apology for overcharging you on the front end.
5. Here's the really big one - If giving us this money back now will really cure a recession, why didn't they give it back earlier, and we would have avoided one?
6. And finally, here's the really troubling one - If this will increase our debt as a nation, not lower it, won't they sooner or later need the money back? I am pretty sure the answer is yes. The problem I have is timing. Will they want it back after I take the $1,600 they are promising me and make a down payment on a car in order to spur on the economy (they have openly said they hoped we would spend it not save it) and have a car payment I can barely afford? Hey, but why should I worry? Knowing how benevolent and patient the IRS is, they will probably let us pay it back whenever we want to - just like they did us, right?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The hazards of getting old
Rodney Dangerfield was right, "I can't get any respect around here." This last week my darling daughter and all our helpful secretaries gathered in my office. They wanted to give me a gift. I grew suspicious when the card said, "From all the staff except the stinkin' male ministers." I opened it to find a black tee shirt with a tiny counter where a pocket might otherwise have been, that simply said, "002". Then, emblazoned in the middle of the shirt were these words in bold print. "MORE PEOPLE HAVE READ THIS TEE SHIRT THAN HAVE READ MY BLOG!"
If that weren't enough abuse, Sunday I am sitting on the front row getting ready for our new contemporary service to start and a gentleman walks up, smiles and with great delight says, "Hey, buddy, they can take the tie and coat off of you, but they can't make you look contemporary." And I was absolutely sure the white belt and matching zip up boots would do it, too.
On a serious note, thanks for all the kind remarks you made regarding the preview of the contemporary service. Everybody that spoke to me about it, had a positive word to say. One elderly woman who I thought might not like it because of the increased volume said, "That was great, I could really hear the music." Even though the weather was kind of bad the attendance jumped 200 for the preview Sunday. Let's keep inviting our friends and pray that we see great growth in both services when they kick off on February 3.
Oh, by the way, thanks to my mom and whoever else is reading this blog.
If that weren't enough abuse, Sunday I am sitting on the front row getting ready for our new contemporary service to start and a gentleman walks up, smiles and with great delight says, "Hey, buddy, they can take the tie and coat off of you, but they can't make you look contemporary." And I was absolutely sure the white belt and matching zip up boots would do it, too.
On a serious note, thanks for all the kind remarks you made regarding the preview of the contemporary service. Everybody that spoke to me about it, had a positive word to say. One elderly woman who I thought might not like it because of the increased volume said, "That was great, I could really hear the music." Even though the weather was kind of bad the attendance jumped 200 for the preview Sunday. Let's keep inviting our friends and pray that we see great growth in both services when they kick off on February 3.
Oh, by the way, thanks to my mom and whoever else is reading this blog.
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